Question

My mom's dog bit my 1 year old; should I continue to let her babysit?

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My mom has a cocker-spaniel poodle. He bit my 16 month old on the hand, because my son was trying to feed him and pulled his hand away. The dog has a food aggression. He's bit my mom at least twice. My mom babysits one day a week while I work. She also watches my 8 month niece frequently. I'm insisting that the dog be kept separate from my son, but my mom says she can only separate him while they are eating. Should I find other childcare? The situation is difficult because I don't have a lot of other childcare options. The bite was not serious; but it did swell. It was on his index finger. My mom won't acknowledge it as a "bite" she says he merely scratched the finger when she pulled away my son's hand. My son's finger is red and puffy and has a large scratch down the center of it. It did not bleed much. What would you do in this situation? I feel like my mom should WANT to keep the dog away from the kids, but she is minimizing the situation.

Mom Answers

I hope you have resolved this issue by now but if you havn't you need to understand that the dog is your moms baby now and she's going to defind it. now if the dog is aggresive only during meal time then keeping them separate when she feeds the dog is a good solution. If its aggressive other times like around its toys or other things around the house then you should find alternate child care, because the problems only going to get worse.

If anyone's animal bit my child, I would find different childcare arrangements ASAP, regardless of the cost! Sorry, but my child's care is my #1 priority. I need to know she is safe and will not be put in dangerous situations. Is the dog aggressive at other times? Or just during feedings? Cockapoos are generally sweet dogs. However, both cockers and poodles can be shy, timid, and agressive. So, you need to take the traits of the dog into consideration.

it's obvious that your mom's dog is too aggressive to be with young children. As long as you DO have other childcare options, use them, but try to again FIRMLY tell your mom how you feel about the dog, and if she won't consent to your wishes of the dog being separated, then tell her that you will use different childcare until she does so; b/c one of these days your son (or your niece) is going to get seriously bitten!! Good luck and hope this helps.

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